Renting an Enclosed Trailer for Stage Equipment and AV Gear Transport

You've got a show to get to and a pile of gear to move: speakers, lighting, road cases, backline, the whole rig, and no vehicle big enough or secure enough to trust it to.

AV (audiovisual) and stage gear is expensive, heavy, and fragile, and it does not forgive rain through a tarp, a hard bump on the highway, or an unlocked door in a strange parking lot. The wrong trailer can cost you a replacement, or a gig.

For a first tour or a self-run event, an enclosed trailer is the answer, and renting one is more affordable and flexible than most first-timers expect. Here's how to size it to your gear, protect what's inside, pack it so nothing shifts, and keep it secure on the road.

Why Enclosed Is the Right Call

Weather and theft are the real risks

An enclosed trailer does two things an open trailer can't: it keeps rain, snow, and road grime off your gear, and it locks everything away between stops. For AV and stage equipment, both matter, because water and electronics don't mix and a loaded trailer is a target in a parking lot. Read more about enclosed vs. open trailer and when the extra cost is worth it.

It loads like a road case on wheels

Hard walls, a ramp or step-up at the back, and tie-down points made for stacking gear make an enclosed trailer feel purpose-built for a touring load.

Size It to the Gear and the Weight

Measure the load, not just the stack

Cabinets, subwoofers, lighting trusses, road cases, and backline add up fast, and road cases in particular are a lot heavier than they look. Lay out everything you're bringing and size the trailer to all of it, with a little room to work. Read more about the enclosed trailer size guide and how much fits in a 6x12 enclosed trailer.

Weight is the limit, not floor space

A trailer that fits your gear on the floor can still be over its carrying capacity once it's all loaded. Check the capacity, and if you're close, size up rather than overload.

Protect Fragile and Expensive Gear

Fight moisture and condensation

A sealed trailer can still sweat, and condensation is hard on electronics. Plan for it, especially on long or overnight hauls and in changing weather. Read more about how to keep moisture and condensation out of an enclosed trailer.

Case it and pad it

Keep gear in proper road cases, pad anything that isn't, and don't let a single piece ride loose. The same principles that keep furniture and appliances safe apply to a mixer or an amp head. Read more about how to secure furniture and appliances in an enclosed trailer.

Pack It So Nothing Shifts

Heavy low and centered

Put the heaviest cases on the floor and over the axles, keep the load balanced side to side, and don't stack anything that can topple.

Tie down to real anchor points

Use the trailer's e-track or D-rings with straps rated for the load. A hard stop moves everything that isn't secured, and that's how gear gets broken.

Pack in reverse show order

Load last what you'll need first. Packing in reverse of your setup order means you're not unloading the whole trailer at the dock to reach the first case.

Keep It Secure on the Road

Lock the trailer and the hitch, park where you can keep an eye on it, and don't advertise what's inside. On a multi-day run, overnight security is part of the plan, not an afterthought. Read more about how to prevent trailer theft during an overnight rental.

Mind Height, Clearance, and Towing

Enclosed trailers are tall, so know your box height for low bridges, parking garages, and drive-throughs, and make sure your tow vehicle is rated for a loaded cargo trailer. Read more about enclosed trailer height and clearance and how to tell if your vehicle can tow a trailer. A few first-timer slip-ups are easy to avoid once you know them. Read more about common mistakes people make when renting an enclosed trailer.

Haul It Yourself or Hire It Out?

For a band on a first tour, renting an enclosed trailer and towing it yourself is usually the affordable, flexible choice, as long as you've got a tow vehicle rated for the load and someone comfortable behind the wheel. An event organizer juggling a lot of moving parts might prefer to hand it to a company, but renting and self-towing keeps control and cost in your hands. Match the call to your vehicle, your route, and how you feel about towing.

What About Insurance and Damage Protection?

Before towing a rented trailer, contact your auto insurance provider to ask whether your policy covers liability and towing-related damage claims.

Eligible rentals booked through Big Rentals also include Basic Rental Protection at checkout. This added protection can help limit your financial responsibility for certain damage or theft events during the rental period.

For full details on how Basic Rental Protection works, including deductibles, exclusions, and renter responsibilities, review our FAQ and platform terms.

Ready to Find Your Trailer?

Once you know the size and capacity your gear needs, browse enclosed trailer rentals near you from local owners, or see all trailer rentals, and match the trailer to your load.

The Short Version

• Enclosed beats open for gear: weather protection and security.
• Size to the weight, not just the floor space, and size up if you're close.
• Fight condensation; electronics and moisture don't mix.
• Case and pad everything, and tie down to rated anchor points.
• Load heavy low and centered, and pack in reverse show order.
• Lock the trailer and hitch, and plan overnight security.
• Know your box height, and make sure your tow vehicle is rated for a loaded trailer.
• For a first tour, renting and self-towing is usually the flexible, affordable choice.